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At the press conference on November 2 the RA National Assembly President Hovik Abrahamyan detailed the official visit of the Delegation to the Czech Republic led by the Head of the parliament on October 29-31 and answered the journalists’ questions.

On October 29 the Delegation led by the NA President had meetings with the Mayor of the Karlovy Vary Petr Kulhánek and the Head of the State Joseph Novotny. In the course of the meetings a number of issues concerning the development of bilateral relations and inter-regional cooperation were discussed. It was proposed to establish cooperation between Karlovy Vary and Jermuk, declaring them sister cities, which had been accepted with inspiration by the Czech side. In his turn the Head of the State Joseph Novotny proposed that other cities of Armenia also would establish close relations with the cities of the State.

In Karlovy Vary the delegation led by the NA President visited the Moser Glassworks Company of world fame, as well as Jan Becher Museum and Jan Becher-Karlovska Becherovka Production Hall.

On October 30 the meeting of the RA NA President Hovik Abrahamyan and with enlarged staff of the President of the Senate of the Czech Republic Milan Štěch took place, which followed a joint press conference. Issues of inter-parliamentary cooperation have been discussed with the President of the Senate. In Hovik Abrahamyan’s word, the readiness of the Czech side of enlivening of relations with the RA National Assembly was underlined. Hovik Abrahamyan invited the President of the Senate of the Czech Republic to Armenia, which was gladly accepted. It is expected that the visit would take place in the spring of 2013.

In the Chamber of Deputies of the Czech Republic the Delegation led by the NA President met with the Chairman of the Czech Republic-Armenia Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group Robin Bőhnisch and the members of the Group. At the meeting issues concerning the deepening of cooperation between the Friendship Groups and parliaments, the cooperation in the international organizations and regional problems. The Czech counterparts also wished to visit Armenia and contact with the MPs on the spot, and the possibilities of their visit to Nagorno Karabakh were discussed.

On the same day the NA President and the members of the Delegation visited Lidice Museum, took a tour in Lidice Memorial, laid flowers at the tomb of innocent victims and at the monument of Lidice children and had been to Lidice Children’s Gallery.

In the evening the NA President met with the representatives of the Armenian community of the Czech Republic. Among the discussed numerous issues Hovik Abrahamyan presented the inner and foreign policy adopted by the Armenian authorities, the process of the settlement of the Karabakh problem, the Armenian-Turkish relations, answered numerous questions concerning our compatriots.

On October 31 the RA NA President Hovik Abrahamyan met with the first Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs Karel Schwarzenberg. Among the issues of bilateral interest the sides touched upon the issue of granting privilege to the diplomatic representation of the Czech Republic of giving entry visas to the Czech Republic, the process of the NK conflict settlement, the Safarov case, with that respect the pro-Armenian statement made by the Foreign Minister of the Czech Republic, by which the steps of both the Hungarian and Azerbaijani authorities had condemned.

During the meeting of the Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies Miroslava Nemcova with Hovik Abrahamyan the perspectives of activating the inter-parliamentary cooperation had been discussed. Ms Nemcova also expressed readiness to visit the Republic of Armenia.

In the Prague Prelacy the NA President had a meeting with the Archbishop of Prague, the Leader of Bohemia Diocese, His Eminence Dominik Cardinal Duka. Hovik Abrahamyan has appreciated the development of the relations between Armenia and the Czech Republic in all directions, and in this context the cooperation of the Armenian Apostolic Church and the Czech Catholic Church. The problem connected with the plot allocation of the Armenian Church in Prague has also been raised. The Cardinal Dukahas ensured that the issue would be presented to the authorities of the country in decent way.

On the same day Hovik Abrahamyan also met with the First Vice President of the Senate of the Czech Republic Přemysl Sobotka , who before had led the Senate for six years. Issues concerning the inter-parliamentary, as well as inter-party cooperation had been discussed. The sides touched upon the necessity of cooperation in international organizations.

Then the NA President Hovik Abrahamyan answered the questions concerning the journalists.

Touching upon the possible cooperation between the RPA-PAP, the NA President said: “We didn’t have any discussion of official cooperation”. However, the Head of the parliament did not rule out that it was possible to reach certain agreement either in the form of Memorandum or other in other format: “My goal is to go united to the presidential elections”. He has underlined that the authorities are ready to cooperate not only with the PAP, but also with all current political forces, if they make reasonable proposals and express willingness to support Serzh Sargsyan.

At the journalists’ request Hovik Abrahamyan touched upon the news about his meeting with the RA second President Robert Kocharyan. He confirmed that they had been on the same plane, the Prague-Yerevan flight.

“I was on the plane with our Delegation when Mr Kocharyan entered the plane. Respecting the second president, the Chairman of the NA Standing Committee on Foreign Relations Artak Zakaryan proposed his seat to him”. They have talked, but they have not discussed any political issue. Hovik Abrahamyan told Robert Kocharyan the details of his visit to the Czech Republic. Abrahamyan was surprised hearing that an agreement had been between the second president and him. “In my opinion, to make an agreement on the plane is not a good format. I would advise you not to have such an agreement”, the NA President said addressing the journalists.

And in the upcoming presidential elections it’s possible that Hovik Abrahamyan will lead Serzh Sargsyan’s pre-election headquarters, as he has a rather big experience. “We haven’t discussed such question in the party, but I have a rather big experience in that direction, thus, it is not excluded that I will lead it”, Abrahamyan said.

In response to the question, if the ANC leader Levon Ter-Petrosyan’s nomination can with any respect change the political situation ruling in Armenia, Hovik Abrahamyan said that any candidate’s entering into fighting campaign is not underestimated, “but we have our candidate”. He once again underlined the readiness of the authorities to organize unique, transparent, honest and democratic presidential elections.

In parallel with the upcoming presidential elections in Armenia in 2013 it is not ruled out that an amendment will be made in the Constitution, too. Hovik Abrahamyan noticed that in the Republican Party of Armenia this issue has not yet been thoroughly discussed, but such conversation had not been. The NA President promised to inform the public about the details.

The Head of the parliament also touched upon the RA Prime Minister’s statement about the necessity of “surgical” interference in combating the corruption in Armenia. “I deem normal that in this issue the Prime Minister wants also to cooperate with the political forces. I think that all of us should combat together against corruption. In combating corruption the NA has to do a lot, as a legislative body, where the main political forces are represented. The opposition and the civil society should also take part in the process”, he said.

Hovik Abrahamyan also stressed that the state bodies should not wait for assignment for implementing their authorities, underlining at the same time that he notices rather bog positive moves and alertness in the state departments: “It would be better if everything, what is stipulated to them by law, they carry out conscientiously, and don’t wait for the assignment to be done. I believe that the assignments of the President of the Republic are timely. I notice changes and alertness in all departments. People quickly try to remove the shortcomings and to do the undone works. It is very good. I highly appreciate it, I am sure that the President will be consistent that everybody does the authorities prescribed to them till the end”.